(that's my name)

country

If you like lists and/or comparative sociology, you’re going to like this.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been thinking of the factors that make one society/nation/herd/group of people more or less civilized than another. This index looks at Human Development in a more cultural way, independent of how rich the group is on average or how clean their water is, even though there is usually some correlation.

And since most of these are intangible and consequently very hard to measure, I’m not going to do any kind of ranking. But some obvious comparisons will pop up in your head while reading this.

Of course, this is subjective and by no means authoritative. So any comments, suggestions, or notes; especially critical, are welcome and encouraged.

(and sorry about the formatting. blame wordpress.)

Prevalence of “national ills”

Prevalence of sexual harassment and sexual repression

Prevalence of marital abuse and arranged marriage

Prevalence of Religious zeal/fanaticism

Acceptance of unbelievers and heretics into mainstream society

Admission of unbelievers and heretics into key positions

Prevalence of smoking, alcoholism, and drug abuse

Prevalence of littering, vandalism, public urination, etc.

Prevalence of homelessness

Prevalence of administrative corruption

Social acceptability of any negative points in this list

Popular social consciousness

Consciousness of global, national, and local current events

Consciousness of mental disorders and illnesses

Consciousness of environmental issues

Consciousness of recent and current scientific breakthroughs

Consciousness of the basics of civics, sociology, psychology, economics, and political science